Brave man and dog set off on 38,000km journey to raise funds for Very Special Kids

November 10, 2016

Next week 67-year-old Clive Blackford from Berwick will be setting off to travel around Australia with his 4-month-old dog Baxter, in the hope to not only tick the trip off his bucket list, but also to raise $50,000 for Very Special Kids.

Being diagnosed with prostate cancer 12 months ago, and discovering it to be terminal, Clive wants to do something to give back and also have a good time whilst doing it.

Very Special Kids helps more than 900 families across Victoria who have a child with a life-threatening condition with ongoing support from diagnosis all the way through to bereavement. By providing free of charge care for these children and families, Very Special Kids relies heavily on the support and generosity of the community.

“It makes more sense, supporting the children, I have had two types of cancer now, but I’ve also had a great chance at life, these kids haven’t and they deserve to be happy” says Clive.

Clive and Baxter the dog will drive the whole east coast of Australia up to Cairns, and then back down through the tablelands to Townsville, Mt Isa and Darwin. From Darwin Clive and Baxter will drive through the center of the Northern Territory and South Australia to Adelaide, and then back to Melbourne. There will be many stops along the way, reaching over 38,000km in total.

Clive estimates that the trip will take one to two years, and says “I don’t want to rush. I’m aiming to raise $50,000 to support Very Special Kids and this journey is giving me great purpose.”

Clive hopes to engage the public by highlighting Baxter’s travels, and getting photos of Baxter with people from all over the country in several different places. He has bought a caravan that will be the home for both of them, and he aims to raise as much awareness for Very Special Kids as possible.

“We’re only here for a certain amount of time – but I’ve been lucky enough to get 67 years. Kids are so much braver, they have a right to life. Mine and Baxter’s adventure is for the kids that need help the most.”

You can support Clive and Baxter’s adventure by donating to his online fundraising page via everyday hero, www.everydayhero.com.au/baxter-s-adventure-1 or search for Baxter’s adventure on Facebook.